The Directorate of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research deeply regrets to announce

News, 25 January 2016

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On 23 January 2016 the outstanding Russian scientist, world-known physicist theoretician, Honorary Director of the N.N.Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of JINR, Academician Dmitry Vasilievich Shirkov passed away in the 88th year of life, after a severe extended illness.

Dmitry Vasilievich Shirkov

03.03.1928 – 23.01.2016

Dmitry Vasilievich Shirkov was born on 3 March 1928 in Moscow. In 1949 he graduated from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, the faculty of Physics. In 1953 D.V.Shirkov defended his Candidate Thesis, and in 1958 he was conferred the title of Doctor of Physics and Mathematics. In 1960 D.V.Shirkov was elected Corresponding member of AS USSR, and in 1994 he became RAS Academician.

Having graduated from Moscow State University, Dmitry Vasilievich worked at the Institute of Chemical Physics, AS USSR, then at two sites of the atomic project. For this work he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour and became the Laureate of the Lenin Prize. From 1956 to 1960 D.V.Shirkov worked at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, then at the Institute of Mathematics of the Siberian Department of AS USSR. For his involvement in the establishment of the Novosibirsk scientific centre SD AS USSR D.V.Shirkov was awarded another Order of the Red Banner of Labour. In late 1969 he returned to Dubna and became Head of sector at the Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of JINR. In 1993 D.V.Shirkov was elected the laboratory director, and in 1998 Honorary Director of LTP JINR. His services to science in those years were awarded with the State Prize of the USSR (1984), the Orders of the Badge of Honour and of Cyril and Methodius (PRB) (1977), the Order of Friendship (2003), the N.N.Bogoliubov Gold medal (2004), the Medal “For Valorous Labour” (1970) and other awards. In 2000 D.V.Shirkov was conferred the title “Honoured Worker of Science”. Dmitry Vasilievich was an Honorary Citizen of Dubna.

Dmitry Vasilievich Shirkov achieved a number of basic results in various fields of theoretical physics, both of fundamental and applied character. Among the latter is the elaboration of methods to solve the kinetic equation that describes the processes of neutron diffusion and moderation which are of great importance in the theory of nuclear reactors. In quantum field theory he worked out the renormgroup method that is one of his most significant achievements. D.V.Shirkov made a big contribution to the construction of the general theory of matrix scattering and a strict formulation of the method of ultraviolet divergences renormalization. These results were included into the classic monograph, reissued in many countries, “Introduction into the quantum field theory” (co-authored with N.N.Bogoliubov). D.V.Shirkov also developed a new method of description of low-energy scattering of strongly interacting particles. The papers of this cycle were collected in the monograph “Dispersion theories of strong interactions at low energies” (together with V.A.Meshcheryakov and V.V.Serebryakov). The application of the quantum field theory methods to the superconductivity theory was shown in the monograph “A new method in the superconductivity theory”, published by D.V.Shirkov together with N.N.Bogoliubov and V.V.Tolmachev. D.V.Shirkov initiated the development of the analytical calculation systems on computers at JINR. The studies in this direction led to the world famous results obtained by Dubna theoreticians in calculations of higher orders of perturbation theory in chromodynamics and supersymmetry theories.

Over the last years, D.V. Shirkov published a lot of papers and made reports at international conferences. His pupils and he himself successfully developed the new method of calculations in quantum field theory – analytical perturbation theory. The method was applied to the solution of complex problems of quantum chromodynamics at low energies connected with studies beyond the standard perturbation theory.

In 1993 – 1998 D.V.Shirkov headed the Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of JINR. Dmitry Vasilievich contributed greatly to the establishment of the creative scientific atmosphere, attraction of young scientists and extension of international cooperation. It allowed the laboratory to enhance its status of one of the largest centres of theoretical physics in the world.

All his life Dmitry Vasilievich paid great attention to teaching. For a number of years he headed the chair of theoretical physics in Novosibirsk State University and was the leader of the branch “Problems in quantum field theory” at the chair of quantum theory and high energy physics of the MSU Faculty of Physics. He headed the scientific theoretical school that was awarded with the President grant for leading scientific schools of the Russian Federation. Dozens of Doctors and Candidates of Science, world-known scientists, leaders of scientific groups in Russia and abroad are his pupils.

The prestige of Dmitry Vasilievich Shirkov in science, his civil responsibility, an active attitude to the protection of scientific value, his concern of the development of fundamental research in Russia played an invaluable role in strengthening the prestige of JINR and Russian Science as a whole.

Dmitry Vasilievich was utterly devoted to science and had a rare sense of purpose and commitment. He demanded a lot from himself and his colleagues at the laboratory, and at the same time he remained a kind and considerate person. His decease is an irreparable loss for the world science.

We express deep and sincere condolences to the friends and family of Dmitry Vasilievich. The cherished memory about this outstanding scientist and man will remain forever in the hearts of people who knew him.